In classic Cheval style, this wine is a true representation of the Santa Maria Valley, with earthy and herbal aromas and notes of brown sugar, strawberry, and cranberry that are pleasing to the senses. Flavors of raspberry, strawberry, and vanilla followed by a full, lengthy finish.

100% Pinot Noir

Winemaker Notes

The Pinot Noir grapes were handpicked and delivered to the winery. Upon arrival, the grapes were gently destemmed and placed into small open-top fermentors where the must was punched down two times per day during primary fermentation. Each lot spent 14 days on skins to maximize extraction, achieve softer tannins, and stabilize color. After pressing, each lot was then racked once from tank into 100% French oak barrels, 50% new, consisting of coopers Dargaud et Jaegle, Sirugue, Rouseau, and Francois Freres. The wine was barrel aged 16 months before preparation for bottling.

Vineyard Notes

The 2012 Cheval Sauvage is from two vineyards that are practically next door to each other: Garey and Rancho Sisquoc each make up 50% of the blend. Each vineyard is found in the cool-climate Santa Maria Valley in Santa Barbara County, home to some of the best Pinot Noir growing areas in the world. Garey is in the heart of the valley and brings more earth and spice, where Rancho Sisquoc, in the eastern corner of the Santa Maria Valley, brings spice and earthy notes accented with red fruit character.

There’s nothing like bringing the right combination of food, people, and wine together to share a special moment. That’s why the chefs at our wineries create dishes to perfectly complement wine. Our Strawberry Crêpes are a decadent dessert (or brunch!) that pairs well with red blends.

There’s nothing like bringing the right combination of food, people, and wine together to share a special moment. That’s why the chefs at our wineries create dishes to perfectly complement wine. Try this decadent Chocolate Soufflé with a red wine blend.

There’s nothing like bringing the right combination of food, people, and wine together to share a special moment. That’s why the chefs at our wineries create dishes to perfectly complement wine. Our Steamed Bun Short Ribs are well worth the time to make and they pair perfectly with Cabernet Sauvignon.

There’s nothing like bringing the right combination of food, people, and wine together to share a special moment. That’s why the chefs at our wineries create dishes to perfectly complement wine. These bold beef Short Ribs pair well with Zinfandels.

There’s nothing like bringing the right combination of food, people, and wine together to share a special moment. That’s why the chefs at our wineries create dishes to perfectly complement wine. A picnic favorite, our Deviled Eggs pair beautifully with Chardonnay.

There’s nothing like bringing the right combination of food, people, and wine together to share a special moment. That’s why the chefs at our wineries create dishes to perfectly complement wine. Pinot Noir is the perfect wine for these delicious Shrimp Tacos.

There’s nothing like bringing the right combination of food, people, and wine together to share a special moment. That’s why chefs at our membership wineries create meals to perfectly complement wine. Try pairing our Wine Steamed Clams recipe with a Sauvignon Blanc.

There’s nothing like bringing the right combination of food, people, and wine together to share a special moment. That’s why the chefs at our wineries create dishes to perfectly complement wine. Our tasty, easy-to-make Snap Pea Spring Salad is delightful with Pinot Grigio (or Pinot Gris).

There’s nothing like bringing the right combination of food, people, and wine together to share a special moment. That’s why the chefs at our wineries create dishes to perfectly complement wine. This rustic Jam Crosata pairs with Rosé.

Although wine growing was introduced to California by the Spanish in the 18th century, it wasn’t until 1976 that the state’s wines gained global attention. That year, California was invited to participate in The Judgment of Paris, competing against the world’s best wines, and subsequently stunned all of Europe, sweeping both the red and wine categories.

The mountains, valleys, and coasts of Sonoma make it an exceptional region for growing wine. Across the diverse landscape, the grapes are exposed to dry sun, morning fog, and a cool coastal breeze. These microclimates make it a large, top growing appellation, capable of producing some of the world’s finest wines.

The Russian River flows through the hot Alexander Valley, leaving deposits of gravel in the soil. This natural element mimics the prized vineyard soils of Bordeaux, making this inland valley the perfect place for grapes to thrive, especially Cabernet Sauvignon.

With its proximity to the Bay fog—resting just north of San Francisco—Carneros is one of the coolest regions in the area. The climate and thin soil gives its signature Pinot Noir herbal and berry notes, and makes it lighter and tighter than those from other California regions. This appellation is also known for producing exceptional Chardonnay.

Although originally established by French immigrants, Italian pioneers soon migrated to the Dry Creek Valley because the soil and climate resembled their native Tuscany and Piedmont regions. While the area is dry, it’s proximity to the Lake Sonoma Reservoir causes grapes to flourish, particularly Zinfandel and Petite Sirah.

The Russian River Valley tells a dramatic story of the land through every bottle. With fog rolling in at night and retreating in the morning, volcanic ash laden soil, as well as sandstone soil created from the shifting tectonic plates beneath, this region creates wine as dynamic as the terroir.

Sonoma Valley has a poetic history. Also known as The Valley of the Moon, it was settled by Spanish monks, but later developed by the first Hungarian to settle in the United States. This collision of cultures and winemaking styles laid the foundation for one of wine country’s most celebrated regions.

Known for being one of the most premier wine regions, the iconic Napa Valley’s Mediterranean climate, geography, and geology are conducive to growing some of the world’s highest caliber grapes. This region rose to fame after its wines won the 1976 Judgment of Paris competition, surpassing France as the world's producer of the best wines. Napa Valley continues to grow exceptional wine and shape the history of California’s wine country.

Well-drained soils, sun-drenched summers, and cool, dry falls make this region a superior place to grow. This stretch of land produces some of the world’s finest Cabernet Sauvignon as well as other notable wines from an array of vineyards such as the distinguished To Kalon and smaller cult favorites. Oakville red wines are typically described as rich and full-bodied with cassis, black currant, black-licorice, and cedar flavors.

A moderately warm climate and unique terroir characteristics contribute to making the award-winning wines from the Stags Leap region. The unusual soil of this region includes loam and clay sediments from the Napa River, as well as volcanic soil deposits left over from erosion of the Vaca Mountains. Particularly known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, this region was made famous when the wines took first place at the Judgment of Paris – a celebrated 1976 blind tasting competition.

West of Napa and Yountville, Mount Veeder is composed of ancient seabed, surrounded by volcanic soils. The cooling influence of the San Pablo Bay is beneficial to the growing conditions of this region. Extremely steep slopes, above the fog, cause shallow topsoil and minimal water retention, resulting in small berries with intense flavor concentration and soft tannins.

Long overshadowed by its Northern cousins, the Central Coast has lately gained serious accolades for its diverse variety of wines. This large grape-growing region’s climate changes from cold and foggy to hot and sunny making it ideal for grapes such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Pinot Noir.

The wines of Monterey County are defined by how close they are to the chilly waters of the Pacific and the fog that rolls in from the sea. In the Northern part of the region, the cool climate favors Rieslings and Pinot Noir Grapes, but as you move South, Bordeaux varieties are more commonly seen in these warmer climes.

Situated between San Francisco and Los Angeles, this region is the largest producing appellation. Paso Robles experiences cool and damp conditions as well as hot and dry. This makes for good growing diversity among French, Spanish, and Italian wine styles and a host of grapes from the commonly seen Cabernet to the little known Blaufrankisch.

The Santa Lucia Highlands are located in the mountains above the Salinas Valley. This region's primary cool climate and high elevation make the right growing conditions for Pinot Noir, as well as exciting lesser known varietals like Petit Verdot, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Roussanne.

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